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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Germany gets new economy minister | Germany gets new economy minister |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is to become Germany's new economy minister, following the surprise resignation of his predecessor Michael Glos. | Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is to become Germany's new economy minister, following the surprise resignation of his predecessor Michael Glos. |
| Mr Zu Guttenberg has been proposed by his party, the Bavarian-based Christian Social Union (CSU), and his appointment is due to be a formality. | Mr Zu Guttenberg has been proposed by his party, the Bavarian-based Christian Social Union (CSU), and his appointment is due to be a formality. |
| At 37-years-old, he will become the youngest ever person to fill the role. | At 37-years-old, he will become the youngest ever person to fill the role. |
| The CSU is part of the coalition government led by Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats. | The CSU is part of the coalition government led by Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats. |
| Mr Zu Guttenberg is already the leader of the CSU, and considered to be one of the rising stars of German politics. | Mr Zu Guttenberg is already the leader of the CSU, and considered to be one of the rising stars of German politics. |
| 'Politically embarrassing' | 'Politically embarrassing' |
| Ms Merkel said on Monday morning that she would accept the resignation of Mr Glos. | Ms Merkel said on Monday morning that she would accept the resignation of Mr Glos. |
| Michael Glos' resignation came as a shock to many commentators | Michael Glos' resignation came as a shock to many commentators |
| Mr Glos, 64, said he was resigning for personal reasons, adding that he did not wish to remain in the cabinet following September's federal elections. | |
| However, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin said his departure was ill-timed. | However, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin said his departure was ill-timed. |
| "The resignation of the country's economy minister at a time when Germany is facing its worst recession for 60 years is embarrassing for his political allies - and that includes Chancellor Merkel," said our correspondent. | "The resignation of the country's economy minister at a time when Germany is facing its worst recession for 60 years is embarrassing for his political allies - and that includes Chancellor Merkel," said our correspondent. |
| There is also some speculation that infighting in the CSU - of which Mr Glos is also a member - may have been a contributory factor in his departure. | There is also some speculation that infighting in the CSU - of which Mr Glos is also a member - may have been a contributory factor in his departure. |
| Mr Glos had been widely criticised for not doing enough to help the economy. | Mr Glos had been widely criticised for not doing enough to help the economy. |